Refrigerating-wagon.



No. 683,662. APatented Oct. I, IQGI. W. J. RANKIN.

REFRIGERATING WAGON.

(Application led Oct. 5, 1900.)

(No Model.)

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

`WILLIAM J. RANKIN, OF MCKEESPORT, PENNSYLVANIA.

REFRIGERATING-WAGON.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 683,662, dated October 1, 1901 Application filed October 5, 1900. Serial No. 32,098. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM J. RANKIN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Mc- Keesport, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Refrigerating-lVagons, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 is a central vertical longitudinal sectional view of my improved refrigeratingwagon, the section being taken on the line II. Fig. 2 is a horizontal longitudinal section taken on the line II II of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-section taken on the line III IIIof Fig. 1. Fig. iisasectional view through the ice-box, illustrating the construction on an enlarged scale. Fig. 5 is a detail view showing the outlet-pipe from the pan of the ice-box. Fig. 6 is a detail View illustrating a portion of the side framing and of the adj ustable shelf in the act of being dismantled. Fig. 7 is a detail view illustrating the use of a lining material acting as a non-conductor of heat.

My invention relates to refrigerating-wagons 5 and it consists in certain features of construction relating to the manner of mounting the supporting shelves, the ice receptacle, removable milk-churn, and other features, as shall be more fully hereinafter set forth.

Referring now to the drawings, 2 2 represent the axles of the running gear, upon which in any preferred manner is mounted the main wagon structure 3, consisting generally of a forward compartment A for the driver and rear compartment B, adapted to receive the contents for which the wagon is particularly designed. In the present instance I have shown a construction adapted to be used for storing and transporting milk and cream either in bottles 'or in bulk, the object in view being to provide for the economical use of the interior space of the wagon, so as to admit of a large number of bottles and in such amanner that they may be readily placed in position and withdrawn for purpose of delivery. To this end I have arranged along each inner side of the wagon supporting-sills 4, upon which rest the platforms 5 in such a manner as to divide the height and interior space into several separate compartments adapted to receive the boxes containing the bottles, or, as shown in Fig. 3, of sufiicient height at the center to allow of the insertion of a can. These supporting-platformsy 5 are provided with slats along their upper surfaces,permitting thorough ventilation and passage downwardly of the cold air from the ice-box and also facilitating cleaning opera-l They are also made in such a manner tion. that by raising one side the other side may be dropped, and all the platforms may in this manner be laid upon the bottom ofthe wagon-, leaving the entire interior open and uninter# rupted in case it is desired to use the wagon f for any other purpose. illustrated in Fig. 6.

Between the front and back compartments'. of the wagon extends the cross-partition 6, by

which the space B is rendered practically airtight, and a portion of this partition is formed into a forwardly-projecting semicircular wall" 7, having a hinged door or doors 8, the back portion of an inclosed space 9 being surrounded by a similar semicircular arrangement of framework 10,havingintervenin g open spaces This operation isf permitting circulation of the cold air from` the ice-box. Within the interior space 9, which is of just a size to receive it, is placed a can 1l, adapted to contain milk or cream in bulk, the faucet of the can projecting outwardly through the door and the packing material or curtain 12 into the front compartment A in convenient proximity to the driver,

so as to facilitate the withdrawal of milk from the can.

doors 13, by which communication may be had with the interior of the wagon, so that the bottles of milk may be taken out by the driver without the necessity of leaving his seat. Ordinarily, however, the compartment B is charged or withdrawn from through rear doors 14, which may be provided, if desired, with any packing substance, so as to render them air-tight.

The ice-compartment O consists of an outer framework 15, provided at different heights with air-ventilation openings 16 and false sides 17, projecting inwardly from the side of the frame, so that circulation of air through the interior spaces and around the ice, which Between the front and backl com-l partment also may be located one or more IOO is placed in the compartment C, is facilitated. At the bottom is a pan 1S to collect the Water as the ice melts, the pan being provided with the drip-pipe 19, leading outwardly from the pan and downwardly along the side of the Wagon, terminating in a double gooseneck 20, adapted to make a water seal to prevent passage of air or dust to the interior of the ice-compartment. A removable top 2l is provided for the compartment to permit of insertion of the ice, and this top should be made air-tight and ,if desired, provided with means for clamping it down upon the outer framework.

In Fig. 7 I have shown a detail view wherein a lining material 22, of any suitable non-heatconducting material-as asbestos,paper,fiber, te-is laid over the surface of the walls, top and bottom, doors, duc., by which means the -refrigeratinfsf, action is assisted by confining the cold air and preventing passage tothe interior of outside warm air. The use of such covering material in suitable thickness and arrangement will be found to be a valuable adjunct to my invention and of considerable advantage in the manner indicated.

The construction of my Wagon renders it well adapted for the uses for which it is designed, and in practice I have found it to give better results than any other wagon or vehicle for transporting milk that I have known, and its simplicity, economy of space,`

facility for loading and unloading, the ease with which it is kept clean, and the thorough manner in which the downward circulation of the cold air from the ice-compartment at the top, keeping the milk cool, will be appreciated and understood by all persons accustomed to the handling or transportation of milk, especially during warm Weather.

Changes in the design, arrangement, and location of the various parts and elements-of my invention may be made by the skilled mechanic without departing from it, since What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. In a refrigerating-wagon, a front compartment for the driver, a rear compartment having a series of removable shelves, an iceholding chamber located in the upper portion of the rear compartment and provided with ai r-ci rculation openings in its walls permitting cold air to pass downwardly therel from into said rear compartment, a substantially air-tight partition between said .front and rear compartments, and a milk-can-receiving compartment provided with a substantially air-tight front wall and a ventilating back Wall in'communication with the rear compartment so as to permit cold air to circulate around said can, substantially as described.

2. In a refrigerating wagon, a substantially air-tight rear compartment, a serios of longitudinal supporting-sills secured along the inner sides of said compartment, a series of transverse shelves removably mounted on said sills, said shelves being connected together by longitudinal slats attached thereto, an ice-holding chamber situate in the upper forwardl portion of the rear compartment and provided with air-circulation openings in its walls permitting cold air to pass downwardly therefrom into said compartment,a drain-pipe for the ice-chamber, a front compartment for the driver, a substantially air-tight partition between the front and rear compartments provided with one or more doors by which access may be had to the rear compartment from the front compartment, and a milk-canreceiving chamber provided with a substantially air-tight front Wall and a Ventilating back wall in communication with the rear compartment, permitting cold air to circulate around the can, substantially as described.

3. In a refrigerating-wagon, a front compartment for the driver, a rear compartment having a series-of shelves, an ice-holding chamber situate in the upper portion of the rear compartment and provided with air-circulation openings in its walls permitting cold air to pass downwardly therefrom into said rear compartment, a substantially air-tight partition between said front and rear compartments, amilk-can-receiving chamber provided With a substantially air-tight front wall projecting into said front compartment and a Ventilating back wall projecting into the rear compartment and in communication therewith by Ventilating-openings permitting cold air to circulate around said can.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM J. RANKIN.

Witnesses:

Tnos. J. FULLARD, D. G. DoNovAN.

IOO 

